The local pumps sector is expected to reach its prerecession volumes by the third or fourth quarter of 2011, reports South African Pump Manufacturers Association (Sapma) chairperson Gavin Doran.

Further, research by growth consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan has found that the local centrifugal and positive displacement pumps market is expected to grow from $175,4- million in 2008 to $323,6-million in 2015.

Doran believes that government’s introduction of the Competitive Supplier Development Programme, which is focused on developing local industry to reduce South Africa’s reliance on imported equipment, will help to grow the local pumps industry.

He explains that the programme will not only help to sustain the local industry, but will also help to develop technological innovations, which will increase South Africa’s competitive advantage globally and significantly grow the country’s exports.

A number of substantial public and private infrastructure projects across the country have offered a lifeline to the pumps industry following the global recession, reports public relations and communications company CVLC. This has been bolstered by renewed activity in the mining sector and expanded operations in the petrochemicals industry. South Africa plays a significant role in pumping operations in sub-Saharan Africa, which are also enjoying a revival, says CVLC.

Industry Supports Pumps Exhibit
The Pumps Valves & Pipes Africa (PVPA) 2011 trade exhibition, to be held from June 7 to June 9, 2011, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, is expected to offer the industry significant networking and business opportunities to expedite its recovery, reports CVLC, which is promoting the exhibition.

PVPA 2011 is the seventh international trade fair for suppliers to a number of industries, including mining, water utilities, national and local government, industrial and civil engineering and manufacturing, food, bever- ages, dairy, brewing, agriculture and horticul- ture, petrochemicals and pulp and paper.

The South African Association of Water Utilities (Saawu) has joined a growing number of organisations to support the PVPA 2011 trade exhibition. The organisation is a significant stakeholder in the sector and plays a leading role in implementing the strategic framework for water services and related initiatives, says Saawu CE Ntombenhle Thombeni.

“It is, therefore, important for our member representatives to exhibit at the show,” adds Thombeni.

One of the exhibitors at PVPA 2011 includes specialist pump and valve company Enserve. The company considers the exhibition the ideal venue to showcase itself and its products and services and intends to exhibit some new products, says Enserve sales and market- ing manager Allan Leathers.

South African Capital Equipment Export Council (Saceec) MD Sybil Rhomberg says that it supports the PVPA trade exhibition, as many of its members will be participating as exhibitors and the exhibition has been highly successful in its six previous iterations.

“State-owned enterprises will have to recapitalise and this should stimulate additional opportunities for the sector,” says Rhomberg. She says that this will be enhanced if participants become part of the Saceec’s Competitive Supplier Development Programme.

Large State buyers recognise that they need to support local manufacturing to increase job creation and provide a platform for new industry entrants to gain experience, reports CVLC.

Unions and industry are lobbying for changes to the Black Economic Empower- ment (BEE) Act to include input costs and labour (both including BEE weighting factors), research and development and locality, as well as current adjudication points of price and performance in the process. Rhomberg believes that this should assist in improving the competitiveness of local products.

The Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa (ASTPM) is also on board this year. ASTPM executive director Colin Shaw believes that the future is bright for manufacturers and suppliers. He explains that the current outlook for the industry is positive and the industry shows notable growth in the water reticulation, petrochemicals and export sectors.

He believes that, owing to the water shortage issue, replacement of the old leaking pipes is necessary and, with new potential petrochemicals plants on the drawing board, there will be strong demand for its conveyance products in the near future. Further, there is great demand for its small-bore conveyance products, such as galvanised water pipes for housing and municipality use, in South Africa and in the rest of Africa, he says.

PVPA 2011 is endorsed by leading orga- nisations, including the African Water Association, the ASTPM, the Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa, the Foundation for the Development of Africa, Saawu, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufac- turers Association, Sapma, the South African Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Association, the South African Irrigation Institute and the Saceec.